HPV & Cervical Screening

The HPV vaccine does offer women the best protection against most HPV-related cancers, but not all of the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

For women, vaccination, regular cervical screening, and following National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) recommended guidelines if any abnormalities are identified, is the most effective pathway for women to follow to prevent invasive cervical cancer developing.

Regular cervical screening will ensure early detection and treatment of HPV-related abnormal cells and prevention of most cervical cancer. Regular cervical smear tests are part of maintaining a healthy body.

New Zealand has one of the best cervical screening programmes in the world. The number of women who die from cervical cancer has dropped by nearly two thirds since the national screening programme started. The NCSP encourages women to undergo a cervical smear test every 3 years, if they have ever been sexually active, from the age of 20 until they turn 70, and to check that abnormal results are followed up.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer and regular screening can reduce the risk of developing it by up to 90 per cent.